Hundreds Honor Airport's 50th

Hundreds Help Celebrate Airport in the Sky's 50th Anniversary

More than 140 pilots and a crowd of more than 400 people from all over the Southland made Catalina’s Airport in the Sky their destination on Sunday, October 18 for the 50th anniversary of service to the public at the Island’s aviation landmark. Up until October 1959, the airport was only available to those who leased land and facilities from the Santa Catalina Island Company.

According to Catalina by Air, a new book by Jeannine L. Pedersen, curator of the Catalina Island Museum, daily requests by private plane owners to land at the airport prompted the Island Company to open the airport to pilots from around the world.

The day-long festivities—organized by the Conservancy and staffed by Conservancy staff and volunteers—featured two icons of historic Catalina aviation which were prominently displayed: An exquisite highly polished aluminum 1939 Lockheed 12A Electra Junior owned by Les and Susan Whittlesey of Coto de Casa, was the same make and model of the first airplane ever to land on the Island in 1936. The other plane was a 1945 DC-3 Mainliner once used by William A. Patterson, founder and CEO of United Airlines. United provided the first regularly scheduled flights from mainland airports from June 27, 1946 to November 6, 1954. The plane is owned by aviation legend Clay Lacy who worked as a pilot for United Airlines flying the Catalina route.  Among the guests was Geoff Rusack, a regular visitor to the Airport in the Sky.  His wife Alison’s grandfather, Philip K. Wrigley, was the visionary who planned the airport for the Wrigley family’s use in the late 1930s.

The field was lined with a multitude of general aviation aircraft representing a great cross section of business aircraft, private general use aircraft, including antiques, experimentals and warbirds. Barry Eckenroth and Ed King of Murietta flew over in a Lake Amphibian. “We weren’t worried about going down over the Channel,” Eckenroth quipped. The crowd was treated to a dramatic flyover by Tiger Squadron flying their Chinese Nanchang CJ6 warbirds, and a presentation of Island aviation history by Stacey Otte, Executive Director of the Catalina Island Museum, who brought a video showing aviation history highlights that ran throughout the day.

The scene at the Airport was one teeming with activity.  Favorite local band “Hot Off the Range” kept the crowd feeling good with tunes old and new, sweet harmonies and a positive, high-energy stage presence.  Guests were able to stroll among the planes parked along the runway, and chat to pilots about their aircraft.

One of the more popular places to be was in line for the hamburger barbeque, a soft drink and a “killer” cookie, served up by Sue Rikalo, owner of DC-3 Gifts and Grill, and her staff and volunteers.  Hikers and bicyclists taking a break on their way across the Island mingled with the pilots and other visitors while having a bite of lunch and listening to the band.

Ann Muscat, Conservancy President, welcomed the crowd to the event. “The Airport in the Sky is truly unique among airports,” she said.  “For starters, how many airports do you know that occupy a 1,600 foot-tall mountain top that was created by blasting and leveling two adjacent mountain peaks?”

Muscat was joined by Dennis Lord, a Los Angeles County Aviation Commissioner, who presented the Conservancy with a proclamation signed by Supervisor Don Knabe (4th District). “Flying into the Airport in the Sky is always a special trip for California pilots,” he said. “It is a wonderful opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. This is California as it once was.”

Conservancy Volunteer Pilot Mike Sheehan flew over in his Cessna 180 Skywagon especially to give “Young Eagles” from the Avalon School a chance to see their Island home from the air. The nation-wide Young Eagles outreach program gives students an introduction to aviation, and a chance to fly over the area in which they live.
“Considering the challenge of minimal space available at the airport, it was one of the most well-coordinated and managed fly in’s I’ve ever attended and participated in,” said the veteran pilot.

Conservancy staff led naturalist walks along the Airport Loop Trail, enlightening visitors about native, endemic and invasive plants, in addition to Island geography. Ninety-minute, custom Jeep® Eco-Tours introduced guests to the twists and turns of the Island’s wild interior.

Keegan Bell, Director of Annual Giving for the Conservancy, coordinated the planning of the event and directed logistics. Paul Moritz, Director of Airport Operations, stationed himself on the top floor of the tower. Armed with two walkie-talkies, Moritz kept track of the busy air traffic.  During the morning and especially around lunch time, planes were landing every couple of minutes.

“We have a great bunch of people showing up today,” Mortiz said. “This reminds me of back in the 1970s when we would have a busy weekend like this almost every weekend. It was a lot less expensive to own and operate an airplane back then.”

Moritz said the Airport in the Sky is a great destination for pilots. “What is better than flying over the ocean and landing on a mountain top?”

A scene not seen since 1954! A DC-3 Mainliner painted with United Airlines colors is parked outside of the tower at the Airport in the Sky as part of the 50th Anniversary of General Aviation.
Photo by Bob Rhein